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About The Program

School of Education

Special Education

The special education degree gives you the skills necessary to support students with diverse learning needs in a variety of settings, and often is paired as a double major with NSU’s elementary education degree.

Each candidate admitted to our teacher education program receives an iPad. Our special education majors often hear from special education experts and work with area schools. To further enhance your classroom experience, NSU’s special education professors have forged partnerships with community programs that serve people with disabilities.

NSU has an active Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) chapter, providing additional opportunities to work with students with disabilities in our community.

NSU students have a high first-trial pass rate on the required Praxis exams.

Careers

NSU’s K-12 special education degree prepares you to work with students with disabilities in a variety of settings such as schools, residential facilities, and hospitals, or to work as an adult service provider.

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships

NSU special education students gain valuable hands-on experience in field placements during their sophomore, junior and senior years, including a formal student teaching experience.

Scholarships

School of Education scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and upperclassmen. For details, please email Jennifer Hieb or call 605-626-2417.

Ms. Jessica Vogel joined the NSU School of Education faculty in 2016. She received a master of science degree in special education from Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minn., in 2009. She also received a bachelor of science degree from Northern State University in K-12 special education, as well an early childhood special education endorsement.

Courses Taught

SPED 100: Introduction to Special Education

SPED 210: Teaching Students with Exceptionalities

SPED 431: Identification and Assessment in Special Education

SPED 460: Family Systems and Professional Collaboration Student Teacher University Supervisor

Dr. Constance Geier joined NSU's faculty in 2008. She received an Ed.D. in educational psychology, research and evaluation in 1997 from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.; and an M.S. in educational administration in 1991 and B.S.Ed. in secondary English and science education in 1974 from Northern State University.

Geier, C. (2006, March). Preparing tomorrow's teachers to use technology (PT3): Utilizing advanced technology and scientifically based research strategies to maximize student achievement - the results are in! Paper presented at the 17th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Orlando, FL.

Geier, C. (2005, March). Utilizing advanced technology and scientifically based research strategies to maximize student achievement: Lessons learned in year two. Paper presented at the 16th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Phoenix, AZ.

Geier, C. (2004, March). Using e-portfolios to assess preservice teachers' achievement. Paper presented at the 15th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Atlanta, GA.

Geier, C. (2004, March). Preparing tomorrow's teachers to use technology (PT3): Utilizing advanced technology and scientifically based research strategies to maximize student achievement. Paper presented at the 15th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Atlanta, GA.

Geier, C. (2005). Utilizing research based literacy instruction and distance technology to accelerate student achievement in reading and writing. United States Department of Education, $3,629,051 (not funded).Geier, C. (2005). Utilizing distance technology to accelerate high school students’ reading skills. United States Department of Education, $1,383,795 (not funded).

Geier, C. (2005). Project ENRICH: Utilizing advanced technology and research based strategies to maximize the achievement of children and youth with disabilities. State Improvement Grant (SIG), South Dakota Department of Education (funded in full through 2008).$275,180.00

Geier, C. (2003). Preparing tomorrow’s teachers to use technology: Utilizing advanced technology and scientifically based research strategies to maximize student achievement. United States Department of Education (funded in full through 2006).$419,708.00

Dr. Craig Kono began his career in education in 1979 teaching secondary social science in Colton, S.D. From 1981-1987, he was a classroom secondary social science teacher in Conde, S.D.; coached girls’ and boys’ basketball and track; and directed the all-school play.

In 1988, he began a school administration career as secondary principal in Bowdle, S.D., and in 1993 moved back to Conde to serve as superintendent and secondary principal. Dr. Kono also taught summer driver’s education courses at Groton, Brookings, Castlewood, Bowdle, and Conde, S.D. In 2001, Dr. Kono completed his doctoral degree in educational administration at the University of South Dakota and was named assistant professor of education at Northern State University in July 2001.

Dr. Kono earned a doctorate from the University of South Dakota in 2001; a master's degree from NSU in 1988; and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of South Dakota in 1998 and NSU in 1979.

Dr. Cheryl Wold joined NSU's faculty in 2013. She received a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from the University of North Dakota, an M.S.Ed. degree in special education/learning disabilities from Northern Illinois University, and a B.S.Ed. degree in elementary and special education from NSU. Dr. Wold was a special education teacher for 17 years; Title I reading and math teacher for seven years; and a director of special education for eight years. She also completed the OLC Advanced Online Teaching Certificate Program for 2015-16.

Dr. Wold is a member of several professional organizations, including the Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators of Special Education, and Council of Higher Education (COHE), and served as NSU COHE treasurer. She also is a member of the American Association of University Women.

At NSU, Dr. Wold has been advisor for the Council for Exceptional Children and member of the Faculty Activities Committee, Faculty Search Committee, Teacher Education Council and Community of Advisors for the Preparation of Educators, as well as the CEEDAR, Office of Instructional Support and Disability committees.

Awards

Wold was named NSU Student Organization Advisor of the Year and was involved in the NSU Student Organization of the Year for 2014-15.

Teacher trainingTeacher qualifications Director of special education qualificationsTeacher shortages in special educationPublicationsWold, C.M. (2009. Response To Intervention: A Study of the Implementation of Response to Intervention in North Dakota Schools. (Doctoral dissertation, University of North Dakota, 2009).

Wold, C.M. (2014, February 7). Tips for the Successfully Implementing Response To Intervention (RTI). Presented at the North Dakota Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) State Conference in Mandan, N.D.

Wold, C.M. (2015, April 10). Response To Intervention; 10 years later: What has changed since 2004? Presented at the National CEC Convention and Expo in San Diego, CA.